Belhaven University Earns 2026-2027 Military Friendly Schools Designation

JACKSON, Miss. (March 26, 2026) - Belhaven University has earned the 2026-2027 Military Friendly® School designation for its long history of supporting the U.S. Military in their pursuit of higher education.

This award honors top colleges and universities in the country that are doing the most to embrace America's military service members, veterans, and spouses. The list provides a comprehensive guide to institutions that foster success on campus and after graduation and set the standard for providing the best opportunities.

“We are honored to once again be recognized as a Military Friendly institution,” said Belhaven University President Dr. Roger Parrott. “This recognition reflects more than a designation — it represents our deep respect for the sacrifice, discipline, and commitment to service demonstrated by our military members and their families.

Over 1,800 schools participated in the 2026–2027 survey, and a select group earned award-level designations in Gold, Silver, and Bronze. Belhaven University was recognized with Silver status for its strong commitment to leading practices, outcomes, and effective programs supporting military-connected students.

“Earning the Military Friendly® designation is more than a badge of honor; it is a reflection of an institution’s deep-rooted values and strategic commitment to those who served,” said Kayla Lopez, Vice President of Memberships for Military Friendly®. “These schools don’t just open doors for veterans and military spouses, they build sustainable pathways for academic success and long-term impact. Their support is transformative, proving that investing in military-connected students is both a moral imperative and a standard for educational excellence.”

Belhaven University will be featured in the 2026-2027 Guide to Military Friendly® Schools, published in the April issue of G.I. Jobs® magazine and available online at MilitaryFriendly.com.

Parrott added, “At Belhaven, we are intentional about walking alongside them by providing flexible, high-quality educational pathways and a Christ-centered community that supports their success in every season of life. We are grateful for their service to our country, we are committed to serving them well, and we continually pray for peace for our world.”

Institutions were selected based on student retention, graduation, job placement, loan repayment, persistence, and loan default rates for all students. Schools earning this designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey process.

Methodology, criteria, and weightings were determined by VIQTORY with input from the Military Friendly Advisory Council of independent leaders in the higher education and military recruitment community.